Standard of building heights ammended

Dehradun, Nov 6 (UNI) The Uttarakhand government today decided to increase the standard height of buildings in the state to 12 metres for hill areas as compared to the existing 7.5-12 mtrs.

The proposal to this effect was chalked out in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri.

Briefing the media about the out come of the meeting, State Chief Secretary S K Das said the set standard height of the buildings for hill areas has been proposed to increase to 12 metres as compared to the existing 7.5-12 mtrs, except for in Mussoorie, Nainital, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Gangotri.

Meanwhile, for buildings in plain areas, 21 mtrs height would be allowed as against existing standard of 15 mtrs.

However, keeping in mind the seismic sensitivity of the areas, it has been made mandatory that buildings above 7.5 mtrs height in hill areas and above 9 mtrs in the plains have to prove that the area is safe from geological view, structural design is as per National Building Code Part-IV, fire and life safety rules have been followed and anti-earthquake Certificate has been obtained from IIT Roorkie, Structural Design Specialist Department of Pantnagar University or Structural Authorised Engineer.